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Things to See: Bond in Motion

With the latest James Bond film Spectre being released later this year, the timing of The National Film Museum’s Bond in Motion was wonderfully timed. Quite unsurprisingly, it has been extended. After all, the films are the longest continually running and the third-highest grossing film series to date, which started in 1962 with Dr. No, starring Sean Connery as Bond.

Bond is known for many things. His immaculate appearance. The beautiful women he regularly seduces. His humorous one liners and legendary introduction. Not to mention his love of a Martini, his armed combat skills and his incorporation of gadgets. And who can forget his love of the finest sports cars and alternative getaway vehicles?

The exhibition features the largest collection of cars and associated memorabilia (adding up to 150 items) from the 007 films ever assembled in London. Bond fans will know that our favourite spy doesn’t just use cars, but everything from boats, motorbikes, sleds and jets.

In fact the autogyro Little Nellie flown in You Only Live Twice is still in working order. Anyone thinking of a daring escape fitting in theme with Bond’s reckless style would not only have to navigate security but also the stairs and ceiling.

Included in the exhibition is the Bede BD 5J Acrostar Microjet helicopter from Octopussy and “submarine” Lotus Esprit from The Spy who Loved Me.

But the most excitement will be for the range of cars they have. And lovers of sports cars will not be disappointed at the range on offer. The Aston Martin DB5 from GoldenEye and the Rolls-Royce Phantom III from Goldfinger are among the most famous.

Die Another Day may well be one of the worst Bond films, but the Aston Martin Vanquish and green Jaguar XK8 are welcome appearances. The Aston Martin DBS, which Bond aficionados will know as the one in Casino Royale that made a rolling-a-car record is here too.

The show also features action sequence boards, vehicle concept art and miniature models. There are also personal items from Casino Royale, including Bond’s and Vesper’s alias (Stephanie Broadchest) passports and the Omega watches. Well worth a visit if you are anywhere nearby.

Still can’t get enough of Bond? Why not check out my Bond quizzes? You can see Parts 1, 2 and 3 here. Or marvel at some classic Bond deliveries like in Goldfinger or Casino Royale or arguably it’s best theme song.

18 thoughts on “Things to See: Bond in Motion”

It really is. You don’t have to be a Bond fan to appreciate the brilliantly made (and in some cases, crashed) cars. Which one of these would you most want? Be honest, how cool would it be to get rid of the traffic in front of you by using some of the gadgets haha.

In part it’s because he is protecting Britain’s interests, and usually we see them as contrary to our interests XD I mean, the spy of the own country is a hero but if it’s from another country it’s more an enemy, with this I don’t mean that I hate him, just that I cannot identify with him as the good guy.

I think my commentary wasn’t political, just logical. I mean, I love British writers, architects, scientist and warriors across the fascinating history, but when you see a guy destroying installations in other countries (as a hospital in Cuba) just because it’s not in England you only can laugh as in the funny move “Team America: World Police” XD! My commentary was meant in the sense of identification, not politics. Hoping you are having a great day, Alex, regards.